Acoustic Research AR P428PS Floorstanding Speakers

DESCRIPTION

The four-way P428PS from AR is a floor standing tower speaker which utilizes a built-in, rear firing powered subwoofer for low frequency reproduction down to a rumbling 28Hz. The slim profile front houses a 1" polycarbonate tweeter, a 5" Uni-cone midrange, and a separate 8" woofer. The rear 8" subwoofer is powered by a 120 watt amplifier.

USER REVIEWS

Midrange and inability to play as deep as promised. Boomy base if not well placed.

I purchased these in 2000 when J&R World had them on sale. The drastic mark down is what attracted me. (They are available online for even less now, and I may get a second pair.) At the time, I was looking for something to improve upon my Paradigm Phantoms, and when I hooked these up, they did just that. I think I agree with others that the midrange is not strong with these speakers, and the subs can sound boomy if not placed properly. Also, as others have noted, the powered subs respond down to 38 Hz, not 28, and this was a little disappointing at first. However, I have since noticed how smoothly the subs blend with the upper end, unlike my current sub/tower combination. Anyway, I found the high end of the P428s extremely pleasing because of the detail and the open, spacious soundstage they produce. A memorable moment occurred once when I put in Mahler's 5th Symphony (the legendary Barbarolli recording) with the volume setting a little too high. I had just left the room when the opening horn solo started. Before I could get back to the volume knob, the full orchestra had exploded with the introductory crescendo. The whole house rattled as every instrument in the orchestra seemed to appear for a second rightin from of me. It was the single grandest stereo moment of my life. The frequency response was absolutely flat even at that thundering volume level, with no attenuation of the signal, no distortion, and stunning clarity! These speakers pack a wallop, and they put my Paradigms to shame. However, as good as they sounded through my Yamaha receiver, when I hooked them up to my dad's old Pioneer 6500 integrated amp (at only 35wpc!), even more clarity came through and they responded very sensitively to that wattage. They produced the most satisfying sound I've yet heard from a stereo speaker there in my dad's basement where they still sit. I'll admit though that room placement is crucial. The rear-firing ports are finicky and can turn boomy if not placed with great care. My dad's cinder block basement seems to be the best place for them.

Midrange and inability to play as deep as promised. Boomy base if not well placed.

I purchased these in 2000 when J&R World had them on sale. The drastic mark down is what attracted me. (They are available online for even less now, and I may get a second pair.) At the time, I was looking for something to improve upon my Paradigm Phantoms, and when I hooked these up, they did just that. I think I agree with others that the midrange is not strong with these speakers, and the subs can sound boomy if not placed properly. Also, as others have noted, the powered subs respond down to 38 Hz, not 28, and this was a little disappointing at first. However, I have since noticed how smoothly the subs blend with the upper end, unlike my current sub/tower combination. Anyway, I found the high end of the P428s extremely pleasing because of the detail and the open, spacious soundstage they produce. A memorable moment occurred once when I put in Mahler's 5th Symphony (the legendary Barbarolli recording) with the volume setting a little too high. I had just left the room when the opening horn solo started. Before I could get back to the volume knob, the full orchestra had exploded with the introductory crescendo. The whole house rattled as every instrument in the orchestra seemed to appear for a second rightin from of me. It was the single grandest stereo moment of my life. The frequency response was absolutely flat even at that thundering volume level, with no attenuation of the signal, no distortion, and stunning clarity! These speakers pack a wallop, and they put my Paradigms to shame. However, as good as they sounded through my Yamaha receiver, when I hooked them up to my dad's old Pioneer 6500 integrated amp (at only 35wpc!), even more clarity came through and they responded very sensitively to that wattage. They produced the most satisfying sound I've yet heard from a stereo speaker there in my dad's basement where they still sit. I'll admit though that room placement is crucial. The rear-firing ports are finicky and can turn boomy if not placed with great care. My dad's cinder block basement seems to be the best place for them.

Unbelievable sound. When I turn on a DVD it sounds BETTER than the movies.

Weakness:

None what so ever

I went into The Wiz one day & saw a pair of good-looking AR speakers the price was $500 a pair. I asked the salesperson if I could listen to them. When he turned them on I was blown away! Then I saw a pair of Bose speakers for $100 more.I asked to listen to them. When he turned them on, I thought man, the AR''s are cheaper & sound better. So then I bought them and they were on clearence for $100.00 a pair!! I am so happy with these AR towers. Now my home theater sounds great with my Advent surround speakers, AR towers, Mitsubishi center channel, & Yamaha sub.

Similar Products Used:

None as good as these AR''s

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Apr 30, 2002]

John Gartley

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Unbelievable sound. When I turn on a DVD it sounds BETTER than the movies.

Weakness:

None what so ever

I went into The Wiz one day & saw a pair of good-looking AR speakers the price was $500 a pair. I asked the salesperson if I could listen to them. When he turned them on I was blown away! Then I saw a pair of Bose speakers for $100 more.I asked to listen to them. When he turned them on, I thought man, the AR''s are cheaper & sound better. So then I bought them and they were on clearence for $100.00 a pair!! I am so happy with these AR towers. Now my home theater sounds great with my Advent surround speakers, AR towers, Mitsubishi center channel, & Yamaha sub.

Similar Products Used:

None as good as these AR''s

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Apr 30, 2002]

John Gartley

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Unbelievable sound. When I turn on a DVD it sounds BETTER than the movies.

Weakness:

None what so ever

I went into The Wiz one day & saw a pair of good-looking AR speakers the price was $500 a pair. I asked the salesperson if I could listen to them. When he turned them on I was blown away! Then I saw a pair of Bose speakers for $100 more.I asked to listen to them. When he turned them on, I thought man, the AR''s are cheaper & sound better. So then I bought them and they were on clearence for $100.00 a pair!! I am so happy with these AR towers. Now my home theater sounds great with my Advent surround speakers, AR towers, Mitsubishi center channel, & Yamaha sub.

Similar Products Used:

None as good as these AR''s

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Apr 30, 2002]

John Gartley

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Unbelievable sound. When I turn on a DVD it sounds BETTER than the movies.

Weakness:

None what so ever

I went into The Wiz one day & saw a pair of good-looking AR speakers the price was $500 a pair. I asked the salesperson if I could listen to them. When he turned them on I was blown away! Then I saw a pair of Bose speakers for $100 more.I asked to listen to them. When he turned them on, I thought man, the AR''s are cheaper & sound better. So then I bought them and they were on clearence for $100.00 a pair!! I am so happy with these AR towers. Now my home theater sounds great with my Advent surround speakers, AR towers, Mitsubishi center channel, & Yamaha sub.

Similar Products Used:

None as good as these AR''s

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 17, 2000]

Stanley Garrrett

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Strong bass, looks impressive, crystal clear highs

Weakness:

No weaknesses so far

I was looking for a pair of tower speakers to use for surround sound.I currently have 308HO FrontsAR Edge Surround (didn't produce enough bass for my tase)AR4C for the center channelAdvent AV550S SubwooferOnkyo TX-DS656 ReceiverI wanted to get better surround sound and I wanted stellar explosions. After reading reviews from everyone in this review board I was convinced that the AR428PS was for me. I purchased them from J&R for $399.00 which I think was a steal especially since I saw the sme identical speakers in Sears for $499. each. I really intend to push these speakers. I will be purchasing a power amp just to push them the way they should be pushed. BOTTOM LINE THESE SPEAKERS ROCK. The bass is very tight and seems to give no strain to the speakers at all (althought I only play my system at 9oclock anything above would get my wife on my back). I will give it 4 stars for my overall rating becuse I haven't relly pushed them yet. When I get my Power Amp i will have a new review bad or good.

Similar Products Used:

AR308HO and AREdge

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 17, 2000]

Stanley Garrrett

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Strong bass, looks impressive, crystal clear highs

Weakness:

No weaknesses so far

I was looking for a pair of tower speakers to use for surround sound.I currently have 308HO FrontsAR Edge Surround (didn't produce enough bass for my tase)AR4C for the center channelAdvent AV550S SubwooferOnkyo TX-DS656 ReceiverI wanted to get better surround sound and I wanted stellar explosions. After reading reviews from everyone in this review board I was convinced that the AR428PS was for me. I purchased them from J&R for $399.00 which I think was a steal especially since I saw the sme identical speakers in Sears for $499. each. I really intend to push these speakers. I will be purchasing a power amp just to push them the way they should be pushed. BOTTOM LINE THESE SPEAKERS ROCK. The bass is very tight and seems to give no strain to the speakers at all (althought I only play my system at 9oclock anything above would get my wife on my back). I will give it 4 stars for my overall rating becuse I haven't relly pushed them yet. When I get my Power Amp i will have a new review bad or good.

Similar Products Used:

AR308HO and AREdge

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 23, 2000]

Dan

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Mid-bass and low bass

Weakness:

Mid-highs

Fabulous bargain for $199 each at J&R, but how do they sound? Not great. I just drove to Sears, listening to Dire Straits' Love Over Gold on the way. I took the cd into the store, got the guy selling lawn mowers to come over and hook up the 428s, and cranked the volume. The low bass and mid-bass sounds are clean and punchy, not boomy. I have to agree, they rock! But the mids and highs are just not very good. Mark Knopfler sounds like he's singing through a shoe box, muffled and distant. Snare drum beats are not distinct, attacks are weak. I had high hopes for these speakers, but after hearing them once (admittedly in less-than-perfect surroundings) I'm going to keep shopping. My cd sounded better in my van (through Infinity Kappas) than through these speakers. For value, they deserve four stars, but for pure musical sound, well...they belong at Sears.

OVERALLRATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 23, 2000]

Dan

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Mid-bass and low bass

Weakness:

Mid-highs

Fabulous bargain for $199 each at J&R, but how do they sound? Not great. I just drove to Sears, listening to Dire Straits' Love Over Gold on the way. I took the cd into the store, got the guy selling lawn mowers to come over and hook up the 428s, and cranked the volume. The low bass and mid-bass sounds are clean and punchy, not boomy. I have to agree, they rock! But the mids and highs are just not very good. Mark Knopfler sounds like he's singing through a shoe box, muffled and distant. Snare drum beats are not distinct, attacks are weak. I had high hopes for these speakers, but after hearing them once (admittedly in less-than-perfect surroundings) I'm going to keep shopping. My cd sounded better in my van (through Infinity Kappas) than through these speakers. For value, they deserve four stars, but for pure musical sound, well...they belong at Sears.

OVERALLRATING

2

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 25, 2000]

sammy

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Nice bass for a VERY nice price!!!

Weakness:

none for this price

now then...I've heard all this talk about the mids on this speaker being pretty poor, but I think they are very clear...although I have a pair of phase-tech 3t's (100 bucks new, they had a scratch, oooh...)with these phase techs (150 ea.) and the AR powered subs (599 each @ acoustic research.com) I am laughing my ass off as I crank my brains out with all of my fwee mp thwees' that I have pilfered from the web...you can't beat the price on these AR's, really...I also got them from Sears for the JandR price...just mention the key words "price protection" and give 'em JandRs' telephone number...Phase Tech mids give these bass bombers the extra umph in the mid and the dome tweeter is the same used in their milllion dollar"audiophile" models...I don't think the phase techs are worth 300 nor do I think the AR's are worth 1199 but hell, we do what we can right??

hey buddy in DIRE STRAITS: I think I heard the chicks singing"DON'T GET IN THE VAN...,...MAN!!!,DON'T GET IN THE VAN!!we have got a dub of this tune just fer ya' you pathetic dire straits listenin' drive through styrofoam waste of space...turn your Kappas up to Omega and play yer geetar on yer mteevveee......ooooooooasdkfgjhaowqeturyu!!!!!!!!!

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Jan 25, 2000]

sammy

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Nice bass for a VERY nice price!!!

Weakness:

none for this price

now then...I've heard all this talk about the mids on this speaker being pretty poor, but I think they are very clear...although I have a pair of phase-tech 3t's (100 bucks new, they had a scratch, oooh...)with these phase techs (150 ea.) and the AR powered subs (599 each @ acoustic research.com) I am laughing my ass off as I crank my brains out with all of my fwee mp thwees' that I have pilfered from the web...you can't beat the price on these AR's, really...I also got them from Sears for the JandR price...just mention the key words "price protection" and give 'em JandRs' telephone number...Phase Tech mids give these bass bombers the extra umph in the mid and the dome tweeter is the same used in their milllion dollar"audiophile" models...I don't think the phase techs are worth 300 nor do I think the AR's are worth 1199 but hell, we do what we can right??

hey buddy in DIRE STRAITS: I think I heard the chicks singing"DON'T GET IN THE VAN...,...MAN!!!,DON'T GET IN THE VAN!!we have got a dub of this tune just fer ya' you pathetic dire straits listenin' drive through styrofoam waste of space...turn your Kappas up to Omega and play yer geetar on yer mteevveee......ooooooooasdkfgjhaowqeturyu!!!!!!!!!

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 18, 2000]

J.D.

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Very good sound & design.

While I am happy with the product let me pass this information on to you.

Currently JandR Music advertizes this product for $199 each both in the NYTimes and on their web site.

If you want get them for $169 ea you have to call JandR direct and just ask the sales rep for the lower price. DON'T use their web site for making the purchase!

Otherwise, enjoy a very fine set of speakers.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 18, 2000]

J.D.

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Very good sound & design.

While I am happy with the product let me pass this information on to you.

Currently JandR Music advertizes this product for $199 each both in the NYTimes and on their web site.

If you want get them for $169 ea you have to call JandR direct and just ask the sales rep for the lower price. DON'T use their web site for making the purchase!

Otherwise, enjoy a very fine set of speakers.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 28, 2000]

rick helferich

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

strong bass clean highs&mids

Weakness:

none

these speakers rock!bass that will stop your heart if not careful.crisp highs but not sharp.mids are just as nice.i've had these about a month.cranked half way these babys will blow you away.deep bass that seperates as nice as any speaker i've owned.cabinets are well built.grills ok.i run the powered woofs at 34.more than enough bass for even the biggest bass freaks.truly every thing you would expect from a speaker at three times the $179.00 i payed from j&r.com

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 28, 2000]

rick helferich

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

strong bass clean highs&mids

Weakness:

none

these speakers rock!bass that will stop your heart if not careful.crisp highs but not sharp.mids are just as nice.i've had these about a month.cranked half way these babys will blow you away.deep bass that seperates as nice as any speaker i've owned.cabinets are well built.grills ok.i run the powered woofs at 34.more than enough bass for even the biggest bass freaks.truly every thing you would expect from a speaker at three times the $179.00 i payed from j&r.com

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 17, 2000]

Michael

Casual Listener

Strength:

a built-in amplifier for each speaker, incredible range, cheap!!!

Weakness:

huge, and very heavy

amazing sounds. clean, even, and powerful. covers all ranges of sound very well. makes what you're listening to come to life. and at $169 each from jandr.com, nothing can compare. simply outstanding as your front speakers. worth every penny. if you're looking for an entry level or mid-range speakers, this is the way to go.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Feb 17, 2000]

Michael

Casual Listener

Strength:

a built-in amplifier for each speaker, incredible range, cheap!!!

Weakness:

huge, and very heavy

amazing sounds. clean, even, and powerful. covers all ranges of sound very well. makes what you're listening to come to life. and at $169 each from jandr.com, nothing can compare. simply outstanding as your front speakers. worth every penny. if you're looking for an entry level or mid-range speakers, this is the way to go.

OVERALLRATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Nov 24, 2000]

Paul

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Deep bass, Excellent for Home Theater.

Weakness:

Very Very Bassy. Mid and Highs being over come by the woofer and sub in the back.

I previously had these speakers as my surround speakers. However, I got rid of my subwoofer and intend on purchasing a pair of AR312HO or AR1 for my fronts. Now that I have no subwoofer, I put the AR308HO's in the rear and the AR428PS in the front. I must say first hand my movies sounded much better. The deep warm sound made it very pleasing to listen to explosions and other loud effects at high volumes. The speakers showed no sign of distortion even at high volume levels. There was a scene in Mission Impossible 2 with the flamingo dancers. When I used the 308HO in the front, the sound of them stomping there feet on the hard wood floors sounded crystal clear as if they were right there with us. However, with the AR428PS it sounded more Bassy and less treble. You heard the hard wood floor, but much more as a bassy sound effect rather that the sound of hard shoes hitting the floor. Also looking at ShangHai Noon on these speakers was actually better. The ambience was beautiful and warm. Now on the music end these speakers can not touch the AR308HO's , the treble and MidRange is phenominal compared to these speakers. These speakers need a hell of a lot of tuning on your receiver side in order to actually hear the vocals. High hats and snares were lost deep inside the speakers and left the bass to take over. I am selling these speakers to a friend for $200.00 and should be picking up either the AR1's AR3's or the AR7 or AR9. ( have not come to grips as to whether I want an internal power amp or an external power amp.) Well over all the speakers are extremely good for the price. If you have a good receiver that allows you to fine tune your speaker levels as well as bass and treble, you may be able to tune them just the way you want them. I am going to give them 4 stars because the price is right. You can not go wrong for this price. The fact that you WILL NOT need a subwoofer is a big plus. Besides saving space movies sounds I mean REALLY GREAT. Music is SO SO but for movies you can not go wrong in the least.

Similar Products Used:

AR308HO

OVERALLRATING

4

★★★★★

★★★★★

VALUERATING

5

★★★★★

★★★★★

[Nov 24, 2000]

Paul

Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Deep bass, Excellent for Home Theater.

Weakness:

Very Very Bassy. Mid and Highs being over come by the woofer and sub in the back.

I previously had these speakers as my surround speakers. However, I got rid of my subwoofer and intend on purchasing a pair of AR312HO or AR1 for my fronts. Now that I have no subwoofer, I put the AR308HO's in the rear and the AR428PS in the front. I must say first hand my movies sounded much better. The deep warm sound made it very pleasing to listen to explosions and other loud effects at high volumes. The speakers showed no sign of distortion even at high volume levels. There was a scene in Mission Impossible 2 with the flamingo dancers. When I used the 308HO in the front, the sound of them stomping there feet on the hard wood floors sounded crystal clear as if they were right there with us. However, with the AR428PS it sounded more Bassy and less treble. You heard the hard wood floor, but much more as a bassy sound effect rather that the sound of hard shoes hitting the floor. Also looking at ShangHai Noon on these speakers was actually better. The ambience was beautiful and warm. Now on the music end these speakers can not touch the AR308HO's , the treble and MidRange is phenominal compared to these speakers. These speakers need a hell of a lot of tuning on your receiver side in order to actually hear the vocals. High hats and snares were lost deep inside the speakers and left the bass to take over. I am selling these speakers to a friend for $200.00 and should be picking up either the AR1's AR3's or the AR7 or AR9. ( have not come to grips as to whether I want an internal power amp or an external power amp.) Well over all the speakers are extremely good for the price. If you have a good receiver that allows you to fine tune your speaker levels as well as bass and treble, you may be able to tune them just the way you want them. I am going to give them 4 stars because the price is right. You can not go wrong for this price. The fact that you WILL NOT need a subwoofer is a big plus. Besides saving space movies sounds I mean REALLY GREAT. Music is SO SO but for movies you can not go wrong in the least.